LAKERS UPDATE: The Lakers, who have won five of seven, are eight games up on the San Antonio Spurs in the race for the best record in the Western Conference. … Inserted back into the starting lineup after center Andrew Bynum went down with an injury, Lakers forward Lamar Odom had his best month of the season. In 13 February games, he averaged 16.5 points and 13.4 rebounds in 36.3 minutes. However, in seven March games, all starts, he’s averaged 7.3 points on 38.2 percent shooting with 9.6 rebounds.

WARRIORS UPDATE: Guard Jamal Crawford made the trip to Los Angeles but will not play. … Stephen Jackson returns to the lineup after a one-game suspension for exceeding the NBA’s limit for technical fouls in a season. … The Warriors will play the Phoenix Suns in an outdoors exhibition game in Indian Wells on Oct. 10, the Associated Press reported.

Marcus Thompson is a former sports columnist for the Bay News Group and author of "Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry." After 10 years as an NBA beat writer, he is a leading voice on the Golden State Warriors. An Oakland native, he gives us a relevant voice in the East Bay. He's been with the organization since 1999.